Ghana Volunteering-Health-HIV / Aids Assistance

Description

The West African Aids Foundation (WAAF) was founded in 1999 and has been expanding their programs rapidly each year. They are a non-governmental organization that is dedicated to providing services that help address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic by developing and implementing awareness programs that focus on prevention and the importance of testing. Their mission is to work in unison with other HIV/AIDS organizations to try and reduced the infection rate in Ghana and to increase awareness about the different services that are available to those living with HIV/AIDS.
The West African Aids Foundation in Accra is a resource center that not only provides information about HIV and AIDS but also other communicable diseases such as sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis (TB). A part of their mandate is to organize and implement seminars that educate individuals about how to protect themselves from becoming infected and to inform members of their community about what services are available to those who do have one of the above diseases.
In addition, the West African Aids Foundation has created a clinic that specializes in providing exceptional care to individuals who are living with HIV. The role of the clinic is to provide medical attention to any individual who is in need. However, their staff have all been trained to be able to provide counselling and support and they all have an extensive background and understanding of the different types of anti-retroviral therapies that are prescribed to individuals infected with HIV.
Community outreach programs and educational workshops are also a major component of the educational workshops conducted and organized by WAAF. On a weekly basis, the WAAF outreach program provides public health workshops on topics such as HIV and STI prevention to sex trade workers, rural villages, and inner city schools.

Why does this organization need volunteers?

The health center provides services for patients with and without HIV. Most of the patients have HIV and are experiencing HIV-related illnesses (pneumonia, fungal infections, skin conditions). The clinic also performs outreach services to under-serviced populations like sex trade workers.
Volunteers are needed to assist with a number of different tasks at the center. Volunteers of all backgrounds and experience levels are needed to help with such duties as assisting with medical tasks, consultations, testing and especially building educational campaigns for the public. The clinic services over 200 patients, so dedicated volunteers are greatly needed.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

Volunteers may be asked to assist with a variety of tasks at the Health Center depending on their skills. Qualified volunteers may be able to help the doctor during medical consults. These tasks include weighing patients, taking vitals, assisting dressing changes, and counselling. Pharmacists, or pharmacy students, will be able to help in the dispensary. The dispensary contains anti-retrovirals, antibiotics, analgesics, and some other medications. Patient consultations are common.
Pharmacist: A pharmacist on site will be appreciated to help in being in charge of the whole pharmacy,to be responsible for dispensing of drugs,offer advices to patients and other clients of the facility.This is just a few of what a pharmacist would be needed for.
Medical student: Since most of the diseases been treated here are infectious diseases it will be very good to have a medical student to advice on the pre cautions,methods as well as the medications for those infectious diseases.
Public health nurse: It will be good to have a public health nurse to be able to educate the public as to how to stay safe regarding HIV/AIDS,to be able to go on an outreach program like immunization and the need to go for the HIV test and if tested positive can be put on the Anti retrovirus drug for a sustainable life.
Business students(marketing): To be able to help in marketing our products to the outside world and to inform them of the products that are available and how they are made and who made them and then also the need to purchase this thing.To be able to inform them of who their helping. They should know that by buying this things,they are changing someone's life for good and they are a contribution factor somebody's life their up keep and upbringing.
Proposal Writer: A person who can write to solicit for support and fund for the sake of the patients due to their stigmatization,neglect etc It can also be like write to solicit for market for their products made y themselves.
Pre-medicine students: To assist in literature and other areas like administration at the placement. Volunteers may also be asked to complete projects at this placement. These projects may include creating awareness campaigns that are targeted to specific populations, developing outreach programs, mediating ways for foreign organizations to become involved, creating diagrams and resources explaining the importance of anti-retrovirals and how they work to fight HIV; organizing donations or working with the patients to help them start their own entrepreneurship endeavors.

Requirements:
This placement is suited for health care professionals or students. However, volunteers with an interest in HIV will be considered as well Volunteers should have a knowledge of HIV, the stigma associated with it, and have experience interacting with HIV positive people.

Requirements

Language

English

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.